NOVEL NEXT Chapter 548
Elders’ Council.
Though it has a grand name, to put it simply, it’s a gathering of the house elders who have nothing better to do. They’ve obviously stepped back from the front lines and passed the power of the family’s affairs to the Head of Family, yet they don’t stop meddling.
Whenever something displeasing happens, they interfere with the Head’s decisions, and once the outcomes are decided, they shift the blame entirely onto the Head like the old foxes they are.
The lady of the Zhuge family, Jang Young-young, saw the Elders’ Council like this.
“Madam Jang!”
“Are you listening!? Madam Jang!”
Before any issues between her husband and son-in-law were resolved, the Elders’ Council had started to move. Jang Young-young couldn’t help but sigh internally as she looked at the elders who flocked to the Head Family’s Hall.
“I was wondering what brought you all here, but it seems it’s just for some trivial matter.”
With her husband and son-in-law absent, she found herself having to deal with the irate elders. As the mother of Zhuge Hyang, Jang Young-young steeled her resolve.
“Is it trivial that the dark-haired lady of the Zhuge family is getting married?!”
“My daughter’s marriage is a significant affair, yet talking ill of it is surely a trivial matter, don’t you think?”
The matron of the Zhuge family responded with a casualness that suggested she had anticipated the elders’ fury.
“Marriage is a grand matter for the clan. How could you proceed with such a significant affair without consulting us?!”
“Consult? Sure. I’ve sent how many kids off for marriage without your help; I’m not counting, you know.”
Jang Young-young replied as if to say, “Why get all worked up over a small matter?” to the elders who looked ready to ignite at any moment.
“Then why, on earth!”
“Elder Three, do you remember back when my second daughter needed a spouse, and you rolled up your sleeves to help? A decent-looking girl from a well-respected family that had served in office for three generations and a prestigious family in the hometown? Surely you remember?”
“Y-yes, I do.”
Elder Three’s face quickly turned sheepish.
“It was a great match, albeit the only downside was that he was a piece of trash who’d strike a woman first. After a few meetings when my daughter faced some slap, I was torn over whether to visit your family first or hunt down that boy’s family.”
“Cough! Cough. He certainly did have a good reputation.”
No wonder Madam Jang’s gaze had felt threatening back then. Elder Three had to subtly avert his eyes while making excuses.
“Who else was there? Someone presented a daughter from a flawless family for our third son, but who was it? Elder Seven? No, Elder Seven was the one who wished to make my daughter a poet instead of allowing her to marry. Who was it…?”
“Hrrm!”
The fires that were waiting to erupt were suddenly deflated by a gust of wind, scattering in every direction.
“Why keep holding onto such trivial matters?”
“That’s right! You did filter out the options, didn’t you?”
“They are my own children, born from my own belly. I ensured their marriages were made with respect in mind. Yet, is it such a problem to marry off my youngest daughter to someone she likes?”
“….”
Such an assertive demeanor left the entire Elders’ Council momentarily speechless.
Being a matriarch is difficult no matter where you go. There are countless guests to attend to, and not just a few elders in the clan to cater to.
No matter how strong-spirited a woman may be, if she’s a bride, it’s her job to keep her head down day and night.
But the woman before them was no longer a bride.
For decades, she had diligently supported the Head of Family. A mother who raised her children well until they were grown, respected by her subordinates and recognized by her superiors—a true elder of the clan.
Jang Young-young was the matron of the Zhuge family.
“Haha. Our niece-in-law seems to have lost her warmth with age.”
Ultimately, Elder One from the council couldn’t help but step in with a smile.
“It’s all thanks to you elders.”
Jang Young-young maintained her firm stance and replied gruffly.
“I’ve been listening to this matter, and I’ve come upon quite an interesting piece of news.”
Elder One replied leisurely, as if he already knew everything.
“What news would that be?”
“Word is, you were plotting to marry the dark-haired fellow behind my back with your father’s collusion.”
“That…!”
Jang Young-young’s brows furrowed at that moment.
“What?! You’ve committed such an unforgivable act?!”
“You haven’t talked this over with your husband?! Are you even thinking straight right now?!”
“I thought it was strange that the dark-haired fellow’s marital discussions were progressing! To act so recklessly, it’s just outrageous!”
The Elders’ Council seized upon the sudden reversal in the tides, eager to voice their complaints.
“You’ve gotten so brazen with age! Do you think the daughter of the Zhuge family is like the daughter of some mere merchant?!”
The mention of a merchant’s daughter made Jang Young-young’s blood boil instantly. Calling her origins into question like that was unforgivable.
“Right…!”
Just when Jang Young-young was about to spit out her rage, she swallowed hard.
The old foxes were just waiting for the right moment.
Even if a matriarch, raising one’s voice against the elders could escalate into a major issue. The old foxes knew this too well, and they likely spoke with a hint of malice.
This was not something to let slide.
How to explain? From the start, meeting the Elders’ Council without her husband was an unexpected situation.
In the den of foxes, Jang Young-young realized she had fallen into a perilous trap.
Thus, she decided to wait a bit longer.
“This is something I’ve permitted.”
She heard the sound of reliable footsteps approaching.
“The Head?!”
“You…!”
“This wedding has proceeded with my approval.”
Zhuge Geuk.
The Head of the Zhuge family had entered the room confidently, ready to rush to his wife’s aid whenever she faced difficulties.
———
“If you have business, you should seek me out; why are you pressuring my wife?”
Zhuge Geuk, shielding his wife behind him, cast an apologetic glance her way before directing his serious gaze at the clan’s elders.
“Head! Is it true that Madam Jang proceeded with the marriage proposal without permission?!”
“It seems you’ve been led astray. This marriage has been conducted with my approval.”
“I’ve heard the Head Family Hall has been quite loud.”
“Only a minor disagreement between my wife and I. The overall proceedings were all sanctioned by me.”
Zhuge Geuk swiftly quelled the Elders’ suspicions, deflecting the arrows of blame aimed at his wife with a single stroke.
“Are you truly considering taking that Kang Yoon-ho as your son-in-law?!”
“Head! Please tell us the truth!”
The arrows of blame shifted direction. Zhuge Geuk decided to make a preemptive strike before their jabs could even take flight.
“I have placed Kang Yoon-ho in a Hongcheonmirijin.”
“…!”
The eyes of all the councilors widened in shock.
“What does that mean?!”
“I instructed him to meet through my father-in-law and brought him over because my daughter fell in love.”
We all know how to drown out the chaos with further chaos. Zhuge Geuk matter-of-factly continued explaining the situation.
“No, that’s not the important part right now…!”
“If the dark-haired fellow is the problem, the priority should be proving that he’s an acceptable choice for a son-in-law, shouldn’t it?”
What’s the problem? The calm demeanor of the Head left the Elders utterly perplexed.
“Head! Are you in your right mind? How can you let an outsider into the Hongcheonmirijin?!”
“The Hongcheonmirijin is reserved solely for direct descendants eligible for the Deputy Head position!”
“Isn’t it a place made for interlopers? Only direct descendants of the Zhuge family can enter, yet there are no separate rules for outsiders!”
“Even so…!”
“Well, my father’s endorsement has made him qualified for the successor position. It’s been widely acknowledged that he has a good character amongst those in Yichang and Wuhan, treating subordinates with respect without acting arrogantly. He’s well-regarded as a good master in business.”
“Just that much…!”
“Still, I understand the elders have their concerns. As a father, I’m not entirely satisfied with the idea of my daughter marrying Kang Yoon-ho either. But I must afford him the opportunity I’ve granted, don’t you think?”
The Hongcheonmirijin is a formation that tests whether one is worthy of becoming a Deputy Head. Even direct descendants of the Zhuge family rarely pass in a generation.
Thus, the Head was putting it plainly. He had indeed given the opportunity, no matter how harsh it seemed.
“Head, if he fails to pass the Hongcheonmirijin…”
If he passes, even the Elders would be hard-pressed to question the character of a Zhuge family son-in-law. The council members decided to firmly grip the one point to manipulate.
“Then, I too will accept the outcome. So, let’s discuss this matter again in ten days.”
If he flunks, there’d be no more words necessary; if he passes, they would revisit the discussion in ten days.
“…Understood.”
The councilors complied with the Head’s soft persuasion, turning away.
———
“I never thought I’d stand up for that brat.”
What a lifetime blunder. Zhuge Geuk returned to his office, mumbling grumpily.
“Well done.”
“I did not seek your praise.”
“You know you did this to protect us. So, it counts as extra points. Well done.”
Jang Young-young gently caressed her husband’s shoulder, whispering affectionately in his ear.
“…Hmph.”
Zhuge Geuk didn’t push away the comforting touch of his wife.
“What’s going on here?”
Why on earth would he place his son-in-law in the Hongcheonmirijin? He had assumed the Elders would oppose it adamantly. Why, exactly, was their son-in-law taking the test for the Deputy Head while visiting?
“He said he wants to make me the father of Kang Yoon-ho.”
Zhuge Geuk replied with a chuckle to his wife’s inquiry.
“What does that mean?”
“When I asked him about his dreams, that’s how he answered.”
“A dream?”
“When I’m mentioned, there’s a desire to be known not merely as the Head of the Zhuge family but as the father-in-law of Kang Yoon-ho.”
“…That’s quite the ambitious son-in-law.”
Jang Young-young couldn’t hide her surprise at her son-in-law’s remark.
“What a ridiculous boast.”
A snicker slipped out from closed eyes of Zhuge Geuk.
“Did that strike a chord with you?”
What could he say to his wife, whose eyes were sparkling with mischief? After decades together, he felt no need to hide his feelings.
“…He’s the first I’ve seen who dares to claim they’ll surpass me.”
Zhuge Geuk recalled the audacious words of that hare-brained lad and smirked again.
“You’re the Head of the illustrious Zhuge family, after all.”
Zhuge Geuk nodded. He had dealt with marriage issues before. He had watched his sons get married, and he had seen his daughters leave for their husbands.
However…
“When my sons got married, they all promised they would be sons who would not disgrace their fathers. And the son-in-laws also claimed they would become acceptable sons-in-law worthy of the Zhuge name.”
“All while sweating buckets.”
“But this one is different.”
“How so?”
“He admitted his wrongs, and when I asked about dreams, his visage changed. He claimed he would someday surpass me.”
A declaration unheard of in his life. He was well aware of who he was. Far from being less than fearful, his eyes were firmly fixed on him.
The Head of the Zhuge family, the father of his beloved, was not an insurmountable wall but rather a barrier that could one day be crossed.
“You…”
“Just because I’ve said a few words doesn’t mean I recognize him as my son-in-law. Generally, there are two types of people. Full of bluster and deceit or…”
“Someone worthy of being recognized by the Head of the Zhuge family?”
“Tch. That’s a matter to be decided only after passing the Hongcheonmirijin.”
A fellow who rubbed him the wrong way.
Everything about him annoyed him.
To start a life with his youngest daughter without his approval, and to show up proposing multiple paths for how he could make amends was displeasing.
His looks suggested he had charmed a number of women before his innocent daughter. Even the slightest self-confidence he displayed in front of him irked him even more.
Yet…
“I want to be known not as the Head of the Zhuge family but as the father-in-law of Kang Yoon-ho.”
Such blusterful words.
Such an earnest gaze.
On a day he could no longer recall, having once vowed to be a man his beloved would be proud of. He was reminiscent of a young man who had forced himself to straighten his drooped shoulders each morning.
The reason he gave this bothersome fellow a chance was simply that.