SSH Episode 8
by Emperor_StarGrowing up in a wealthy household surrounded by only the finest things, Hongwoo had developed a keen eye for quality.
When shopping for bedding, he spared no expense, choosing a luxurious pair of silk brocade pillows filled with cotton, designed to melt away fatigue the moment he lay on them. They’re traditionally used by married couples, but Hongwoo figured bedding should always be big and comfortable. Besides, now that he was independent, he would marry someday. Better to buy it now than replace it later.
He also purchased a mother-of-pearl lacquered cabinet and stocked up on flowers and trees to plant in his yard.
Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com
“But I have to carry all this home myself, don’t I?”
“What are you talking about? If you pay, they’ll plant everything for you.”
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
At the market hyung’s words, Hongwoo’s face lit up.
“Really? In that case, I’ll take that one too! And that one!”
Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text
The market hyung beamed at Hongwoo’s lavish spending, grinning so wide it looked as if his face might split. Despite lending him money, he never once showed any displeasure. He must have worried that making Hongwoo feel small over his lack of funds would hurt his pride. He was truly a man of great character.
Feeling grateful, Hongwoo offered to have a new outfit made for him. The market hyung refused at first, but when Hongwoo insisted, he quickly led him to a fabric shop he trusted.
Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish
Afterward, they headed to the market hyung’s store, where he rapidly tapped away at his abacus, calculating the total cost. He drafted a loan agreement and handed it to Hongwoo for his signature.
Since this was his third time signing such a document, Hongwoo felt he was getting rather skilled at it.
Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish
With the paperwork done, Hongwoo left the shop and hurried home, eager to show off his new house.
***
For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com
As Madam Kim, the housemaid, hung up Jang Seungwoo’s robes to dry, she paused, lost in thought.
Seungwoo had always been difficult—just as he was now—but at least as a child, he hadn’t been fussy about clothing. Back then, he simply wore whatever was given to him.
Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com
At some point, though, that changed. He began choosing clothes and accessories that perfectly accentuated his sharp features and well-proportioned frame.
At first, Madam Kim had wondered if he had fallen for some young lady, preening himself like a bird trying to attract a mate. But that wasn’t the case.
Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish
“Young Master, have you found yourself a sweetheart?” she had once asked.
“Instead of worrying about that, keep an eye on that good-for-nothing bastard to make sure he’s not slacking off,” Seungwoo had snapped, referring to Hongwoo, who spent his days eating well and having fun.
Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text
Even Master Jang Gyeyeong, who usually praised everything Seungwoo did, had scolded him for his increasingly extravagant taste.
“A man should have some dignity!” he had reprimanded.
For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Of course, Seungwoo hadn’t so much as flinched.
From then on, it became routine—every season, he had new outfits tailored with matching accessories.
Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com
In Gaegyeong, the most prestigious fabric shops often received orders asking for whatever Jang Seungwoo was wearing. Some even started marketing outfits under the name ‘Jang Seungwoo’s Signature Look’.
His mother, Lady Eunsoo, had been one of Hanyang’s great beauties in her youth—not just admired for her looks but for her impeccable style, setting trends across the capital.
Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com
‘Blood doesn’t lie.’ Madam Kim was just thinking that when a voice called out from behind.
“Young Master, what brings you here? Are you finally coming home?”
Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish
“No, no! Why would I come back? Madam Kim, I got a house!”
“A house?”
For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“Yeah! Come on, I’ll show you.”
Hongwoo eagerly grabbed Madam Kim’s hand and led her to Bokdeokchon.
For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com
By the time they arrived, the yard was already filled with trees and flowers. It was impressive how quickly everything had been set up. Money really did make the world go round.
As Hongwoo opened the door to show Madam Kim the room, the first thing that caught her eye was a luxurious silk brocade bedding set traditionally used by married couples.
Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com
“Young Master, did you secretly take a bride?”
“No, I just bought it in advance… just in case.”
Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com
Hongwoo fidgeted as he spoke.
At twenty-one, he was already considered late for marriage.
Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text
Back when he had been of prime marrying age, their father had fallen ill, leaving no one to arrange a match for him.
Technically, his older brother Seungwoo could have taken on the responsibility, but any mention of marriage instantly soured his mood.
For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Because of that, Hongwoo had remained unmarried—and was now an aging bachelor.
Of course, Seungwoo was even worse.
Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com
Madam Kim had once teased him about it.
“Young Master, you’re starting to smell like an old widower.”
For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“If I smell like that, it must mean you haven’t been doing your job properly. Should I punish you for it?”
The look in his eyes had made Madam Kim quickly turn away. She had no doubt he would actually follow through.
Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text
Unlike Seungwoo, who had no interest in marriage, Hongwoo—who had always seemed like a big child—was now diligently preparing for a future family.
The thought of Hongwoo having children one day…
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Kim couldn’t help but reminisce. Before serving Hongwoo, she had been the personal maid of Lady Eunsoo, the esteemed daughter of Lord Park—a man so powerful that even birds fell silent in his presence. When Lady Eunsoo married into the wealthy Jang family, Madam Kim had naturally followed.
Madam Kim had cared for Lady Eunsoo’s first born, Jang Seungwoo, and when he grew into an unruly child, she took on the task of raising Hongwoo from infancy.
For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com
She no longer had the strength to care for children as she once did, but she still dreamed of raising Hongwoo’s future children—if not Seungwoo’s, since he showed no interest in marriage.
“My only wish before I die is to see Young Master Hongwoo’s baby.”
Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com
“Don’t say things like that! Madam Kim, you can’t ever die… Who else would raise my children if not you?”
Still grieving the loss of his father, Hongwoo clung to Madam Kim—the closest thing he had to a parent—whining like a child.
Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish
Madam Kim sighed.
He still had his childish moments, but seeing him—once so small—now standing tall, preparing for marriage, and securing a home, filled her with both pride and emotion. Watching him take his first steps toward independence stirred something deep inside her.
Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish
It was foolish to feel this way at her age, she thought.
“Alright, alright. But good grief, you’re heavy! You should be worrying about my poor back. It’s about time you carried me instead.”
Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com
“You’re right! Come on, hop on, Madam Kim.”
Hongwoo bent down, offering his back.
Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish
Madam Kim swatted him lightly. “Don’t be reckless.”
Shaking her head, she glanced around his new home.
Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish
From the outside, it was a simple one-room house, no different from any other civilian home. But inside, it was a different story—a lavish phoenix-patterned silk bedding and a luxurious mother-of-pearl cabinet made it clear that Hongwoo hadn’t skimped on comfort.
She tilted her head.
For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com
On the surface, this looked like an ordinary commoner’s home, but everything inside screamed money.
“Young Master, where did you get the money for all this?”
For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“I borrowed it from an acquaintance.”
Hongwoo grinned from ear to ear, but Madam Kim couldn’t shake her unease.
Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish
He barely had enough acquaintances to count on one hand—no, even on just three of her fingers.
“Come on, let me show you the flowers and trees in my garden.”
For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Madam Kim let Hongwoo lead her to his field and glanced around.
The flowers planted there were the same ones from the main estate—rare and expensive blooms that only the wealthiest households could afford. Ordinary people wouldn’t even get the chance to see such luxury, let alone plant them.
For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com
It must have cost a fortune. Where had he gotten the money to buy such extravagant trees and flowers?
And yet, in his vegetable garden, the only thing growing was a single crown daisy.
Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text
“Have you ever tended a field before, Young Master?”
Kimssi Eomeom, noticing Hongwoo’s cheerful mood, decided not to press him further about the money. Instead, she changed the subject.
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“Nope.”
At his carefree smile, Kimssi Eomeom let out a hearty laugh.
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“Where have you been loitering instead of working?”
Jang Seungwoo’s voice greeted Kimssi Eomeom the moment she stepped through the front gate. His sharp tone made it clear he was in a sour mood.
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
She raised a brow. It was unlike him to question her whereabouts—he had never cared before.
“Well, this is new. Since when does the eldest Young Master take an interest in what I do?” she teased. “Hongwoo built a house and invited me to see it.”
Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text
At Madam Kim’s response, Jang Seungwoo frowned.
“That brat barely had enough to live on his allowance—where did he get the money to build a house? Don’t tell me you gave it to him.”
Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com
“Me? Where would I get that kind of money? He said an ‘acquaintance’ gave it to him.”