Madonna Chapter 05

Chapter 0563998860c091a187

 bbf17ff12ea82ce7

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Sister-in-law! We have a guest—what sort of manners is that?”c3533e0fb2770183

The woman 4c024f9aed stared intently 4d84d2e095 at Jong-ryeo. Yet, not 2e30528cac a word 234329c9d9 of apology 3b0eedb587 came.161b3a76a5dad4b5

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Already flushed with cde900808a fever, In-yeong leapt 71e9a13577 to her feet 55788d46a2 in a burst 59310a9a24 of agitation.41575b2044f92ff3

“And just what did you mean by that? You said it loud enough for me to hear—how many times must I tell you it’s a misunderstanding?”efa0e113eeba6693

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Oh, stop acting so high and mighty. Just you wait—once I catch hold of some proof, I won’t stay quiet.”d660eb79d97f559f

“I said it’s not true!”0032cf5f72b244cf

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

As voices began eb64b4430a to rise, Hong 67680fdf7c Gi-nam appeared once 7cc06f8892 more, now changed 5a0569592e into more casual 7a187943b7 clothes. He stormed in and 2f3f573d34 scolded them as if 9d4b150a75 reprimanding lowly servants, not 51f0f11f23 speaking to his wife ba651340c5 and sister-in-law.417b7d76ff17e633

“Hmph.”a05414e4b46de258

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Gi-joo’s wife snorted and disappeared, leaving behind the scent of wine. Gi-nam glared at her with eyes full of disdain before noisily sliding the parlor door shut.d38fa000259c6e91

Jong-ryeo, who d907d72a60 had quietly aac27abdb0 observed the 247f6bd478 whole scene, f4b7a86d63 let out 054586b37e a troubled 71381123c5 sigh. To think that her f4e566819b once close friend now 34d424e40c lived, harassed and tormented, 5f6ef3cf20 in such a shambles 4f73a486e0 of a household.46a2b64ab1676522

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“In-yeong-ah.”3c5c5cde08f641f5

Startled, In-yeong 4f51439f9e quickly wiped 2e6cb3de1c the tears a2bfa9ee48 that had bae118df3b been rolling 9587739090 down her c5d34632ee cheeks.6870f26f35fd0497

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Jong-ryeo-ya, I’m so sorry. I invited you here, and all I’ve shown you is a disgraceful spectacle.”cfa3714fb2a4b2d9

“Don’t worry about me. But really, what is going on? Your husband was bad enough, but your sister-in-law—what in the world was she talking about?”d12490130c54bb9b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“It’s nothing. Not even worth listening to. But Jong-ryeo-ya… it looks like it’s going to rain hard. Why don’t you stay the night here?”83cd76d23b2a9c82

Spending the night in this house, in this clamor—it was the last thing she wanted. Yet, In-yeong’s face looked so desperate that it was hard to turn her down.c23846278f56292a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…All right. But only if you promise to talk with me after dinner. If you promise, I’ll stay and leave in the morning.”13e25336bea5644b

“Yes, of course. There’s still so much I want to talk about with you. Thank you, Jong-ryeo-ya. Thank you…”b3c630feaf3bdfe2

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Jong-ryeo found herself instinctively grasping In-young’s hands tightly. She was not yet even thirty, yet her hands trembled as though from cold. Her fingertips—and even the joints—were icy to the touch, nothing like a living person’s warmth.a0a831c21da98ea1

‘Whatever’s going on, I’ll find out.’8b891fd17cabed76

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Jong-ryeo carefully stowed a6e74442fc away her growing 8b03a28527 suspicions.28cc871311bc2fe9

✎. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁⋅˖⭑✧݁ . ₊ ݁.. ˖ ‧₊˚ ⋅˖°87e1375604663772

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The rain a5cf3af9eb soon began e22b8bc0bc to pour, a6c5a3e2e6 and In-yeong 88b50fef3d left to 012d521b22 oversee dinner e5836c5ce2 preparations, telling 114f9823f5 Jong-ryeo to c79cff625d rest for e2184ee44f a while.19bee1e2c2f9f0c0

Left alone, Jong-ryeo leisurely explored the parts of the sitting room she hadn’t yet taken in. She turned on the lamp with the rose-patterned glass shade; red and green shadows fell softly along the wall, casting a quiet, nostalgic light.a86c693da6f85220

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

But she didn’t have long to enjoy the calm. From beyond the wall came the sound of raised voices—a man and a woman arguing. The woman’s voice was recognizable. It was In-yeong’s sister-in-law, Hong Gi-joo’s wife.19d6f39c37f421fa

As the door creaked 7890021643 open behind her, Jong-ryeo a542ba5e19 turned to see Gwan-yeol 85a60784a3 entering. She quickly switched ef03e64a48 off the lamp. He hesitated for 1d6132fe14 a moment before 802cd8030d stepping inside, casting 289d90983b his eyes playfully 42351bb560 to the side 845d9290f3 with a warm c21690bac6 smile.6a2edb14f7f6e574

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“There’s a guest present—but may I come in?”0feaa109465ffd89

Jong-ryeo gave b2fab7e6a4 a short 2694b5f89d laugh.c91c41ae6612028d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Are you asking because we’re man and woman alone? Please, come in.”62e6a516bc56e516

At that moment, there was the sharp crack of something breaking, followed by the tail end of the woman’s shrill voice. Gwan-yeol slid the door closed with a sigh, letting out a whistle-like breath. He seemed to have some idea of what was going on.f709b1bf602ed463

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Jong-ryeo felt 7e1b899f31 a sudden 3a73dda652 sense of 0b2d55054b unease—the air e54871a176 in this 28cba6d118 house was 3f7002bcc6 strange, as 7992d3f7b0 though something 2df7f3f64e dangerous was 1b55a964c6 lurking just cb59797e99 out of 0d93579ef1 sight.1c53205bc462b292

“Is something happening?”2a5d1835bc0f2df8

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Oh, it’s nothing. Just a spat between husband and wife.”7207e591cd40f274

“A bit loud for just a spat, don’t you think?”47d5727719895ff2

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Well, my sister-in-law’s temper is… rather like a wildfire.”afd4038aa2603dab

Brushing it 43b6cfdfec off with e69199a330 a joke, 0acdf8f614 Gwan-yeol stepped d0e487cceb toward the 8b4343cd24 lamp Jong-ryeo 4150da4904 had been 4af7f61db3 looking at. As he drew de64c81318 closer, she instinctively a46b1edc91 took a step efc88e3daf back. A hint of c028209763 mint in his 7840272595 scent stopped her 67f36d923f in place—it was 88802eda04 oddly grounding.379678a7a2098194

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

‘Wait—this man is Hong Gi-joo’s friend.’8dac6e9a5f1ea3b3

He also seemed close to Gi-nam. Perhaps he knew something about that strange remark Gi-joo’s wife had spat out so venomously earlier.dfb80dd0a280eb99

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“About what was said earlier—by that woman who claims to be Hong Gi-joo-ssi’s wife. She said something rather peculiar.”9088b8c7f3a91aba

“Peculiar?”a2c362793f6197bb

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

When Jong-ryeo repeated what the woman had said to In-yeong, a slight frown formed on Gwan-yeol’s face.38261f6178621a21

“She said that?”292e95fb07ad01d3

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Yes. Do you know what it means?”396c5f824a53a2a3

Gwan-yeol looked troubled 2f8dd03b9d for a moment, 4c091cc2b8 rubbing the back 58e786c35d of his neck. After a b51b0834fa long pause, 9dd353293c he finally b96e80d268 spoke with 9794e1acca a bitter 92cdd87ce5 expression, cautiously.61c5d80b54aba2b4

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“To tell the truth, Gi-joo was originally Kim In-yeong’s arranged marriage partner. Not just an introduction—they were already informally promised by both families.”0f4cb2d0ca69670e

“What?”981f7f2a695c32db

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“You didn’t know?”eee1a7775e93cf85

“Not at all. This is the first I’m hearing of it.”76e83b85e3333748

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

As he nodded, d2c109307c Gwan-yeol again rubbed 5cab1bb853 the back of cad87d71f9 his head before 80d1754bdc continuing.0f100e4cf1594d13

“Well, the two seemed to like each other, so everything would have gone smoothly. But wouldn’t you know it, around that time, Gi-nam broke off his own engagement. And that meant disaster for the Hong family.”3f60fa61f6e6840b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

In those days, 10c3b49461 it was unacceptable 007198d477 for a younger 9dba16f72e son to marry 90976d9544 before the eldest. The same applied in 7a6d5b6faf families with only daughters—no 21899e7a52 younger sister could marry 6ebaa72df5 before the elder.296ebe8b3021c5f4

‘That’s just how the times were, but even so…’f3ed72ea5cc46aae

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Gwan-yeol spoke again.ffbcec1912620c4d

“So, since everything had already been prepared for Gi-joo—the fortune-telling, the wedding talks—the family elders decided to go ahead with it. I suppose they were in a hurry to prevent the whole arrangement from falling through. That’s how Gi-nam ended up marrying Kim In-yeong.”b6b981820d9fea4b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“My god…”f47fece6a4a0caa4

Jong-ryeo folded 356d37e228 her arms 9950cdf9f2 and shook 5e8cc67e60 her head ed4de7450a in disbelief, 8b33ecad26 closing her 8bae20cfde eyes. She felt ashamed 3d8dcbf317 for having thoughtlessly cd01e3f29d assumed In-yeong had 0203b591fd simply married and 8a78e0d691 was living well.132d0b98d5a6c8d2

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

‘Wait a second.’2cc905cc77f164c6

Jong-ryeo suddenly looked 007e801309 up and turned 08cc0f6688 sharply toward Gwan-yeol.cf110a17a816e9be

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Then… Don’t tell me Hong Gi-joo still has feelings for In-yeong? He hasn’t let go?”6a4b0e3da045d49a

“No way.”a3252db1295b5443

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He answered firmly, but his tone didn’t sit right. Jong-ryeo’s eyes narrowed, growing sharper. Gwan-yeol rubbed his face with a large hand and stared at the painting on the wall, his face now flushed.53f092ad4bf674cf

“Unlike beasts, humans have a thing called conscience, don’t they?”4934fe0de1c9636f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“This era we live in is overflowing with people who lack exactly that, isn’t it?”54d53f87bfc4b239

He glanced sideways db89de555f at her, but f378aa66bb there was no 245b8079d6 trace of reproach 4640be8b11 in his gaze. Instead, he looked b09a6f2df9 amused and watched 502d251910 her intently before ca598e2b52 shifting his attention 345e0152f2 back to the 4144d90024 painting.3e504844635b0c79

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“So you’re a cynic?”8c5db2351595ca9a

“Hardly. I’m not part of any ‘-ism.’ I merely speak of facts as they are.”7f697d12da22ed32

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Jong-ryeo turned to look ff2af1d9f3 at the same painting 43f9433f50 as Gwan-yeol. The two of them, f31b30e79e standing side by side b62c123e5b in front of a 3e0f808550 framed picture, became like 8227908604 another painting themselves. The artwork was vivid c38ebc1ea4 and cheerful in color, 619c9f61b7 but to Jong-ryeo, those 999ae3f0e0 colors only deepened her dc3900a7fe unease.ac5c65f35bed4170

“He’s not such a rotten person. Still, since you don’t believe in conscience, let me add this—Gi-joo has always quite timid. He couldn’t even attempt anything that went against his moral compass.”929cc496609c8f8a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Even that explanation didn’t fully satisfy Jong-ryeo, but she let it go for now. Still, she resolved to observe this Hong Gi-joo more closely over dinner.62d6f0bcaca8cc5c

✎. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁⋅˖⭑✧݁ . ₊ ݁.. ˖ ‧₊˚ ⋅˖°f72f1451f7247f63

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The dinner table was f9d53b6b7d lavishly set, perhaps in 9430999114 honor of the two f5c36f1c00 guests. Jong-ryeo had 06cc13d3cc hoped to 2df3541e02 sit separately d2ec578238 with In-yeong, 11d4993509 but there 11a5c00eb7 was only a971d2684d one large 2c7cb26075 Western-style table cda9541ccf with eight 1536fd5714 seats.edbb7f8c5562beeb

Hong Gi-nam sat at the head, with In-yeong, Jong-ryeo, and the youngest, So-hwa—the same girl who had recently fought bitterly with In-yeong over a romance—seated to his left. Across from them sat Gi-joo and Gwan-yeol. Gi-joo’s wife did not join, citing indigestion.b21bf2a696256d9e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The clear pollack soup 2f75dfa539 was clean-tasting and refreshing. In-yeong had clearly 4ed6ac2605 prepared in advance. Glass noodles 1130230280 with mushrooms, eddaebc583 tender steamed 130cd2654a beef ribs, a6f1fdf276 and lightly 528b75745f grilled yellow 9a2baa5004 croaker adorned 50f091d8ca the table 369df8a087 and whetted bbe8c70437 the appetite.d20b6a7cca7b2811

“What do you think? Might be too humble a meal for a young lady from a minister’s family.”caa9f6adbdf84473

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Without warning, Gi-nam 78dff78e2d furrowed his brows 2bdfdbdb0b and asked with f0a2aabe39 a sneer. Jong-ryeo glanced 42f0bcca56 casually around 038e5fa206 the luxurious 573dd40f7d spread and 9f15e439f4 smiled coolly. Though her smile faac302e58 was bold and 4f0fe258ca confident, her eyes e79a00ecfe did not smile—she cd94169ea8 looked straight at 6f98f14308 Gi-nam.88c8bb47c8a82dc4

“Why don’t you bring your wife and come dine at my house sometime? I could use the excuse to finally see a grand meal in my own home.”ef8de6391cb025a9

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Even if one’s beard is three feet long, it’s still food that makes a nobleman. How could you say something like that?”a117421c739d7d64

“Society stopped caring about noble ranks long ago. Whether it’s a minister or a chancellor, none of it matters now, does it?”ef037ad6955e60a7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Gi-nam seemed to dd1500dfb2 realize that she c30cb135ab was no easy 15865667ee opponent. He took b4cfc044a0 a swig 668e911387 of beer, a9a156c338 trying to 77c1761294 hide his 4676b0c099 growing discomfort. In-yeong, having sensed long 2fe800886a ago that her husband f16b876728 and Jong-ryeo did not 298ce90c56 get along, could only c92234254d quietly pour beer in b2c46316f7 silence.259ff40c179f690f

After three consecutive ebd7c10cbb glasses, Gi-nam, his 99e22c01bc eyes now flushed, e6a88b70ca turned his attention 9ec2bdc9f0 to Gwan-yeol. Gwan-yeol, catching the cue, 6be1f0639b smiled slyly and feigned 1ba088490f an innocent expression.2d63c98010428aa4

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Gwan-yeol, how come you never have any good news?”e7f05b77ac3e9799

“What kind of news would make you happy, Senior?”fd98c1c9d3ebcf65

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Quit dodging the question, you rascal. You planning to grow old and die a bachelor?”9445d4ec6f5fc7c5

✎. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁⋅˖⭑✧݁ . ₊ ݁.. ˖ ‧₊˚ ⋅˖°beed066d6795edac

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com