Chapter 351 rough as sandpaper

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WbHFZ6Brffs_dutf70E-t-RuYMUJDSd_8LTItp-iM2o/edit?usp=sharing

“Time to wake sweet child, the day waits for no one.”

Groaning in reply, Yan retreated into the comforting darkness beneath her firm pillow and away from the dazzling light of the morning sun. Merciless as always, Eun yanked the silk covers off Yan’s body and pinched the back of her thigh, the chill morning air and painful tweak burning away the last of her grogginess. Sitting up with an aggrieved pout, Yan moaned in wordless complaint and stretched her weary limbs before falling back into her comfortable, feathered mattress. Never one to sleep in, she’d always looked down at those who did, believing them to be soft and weak-willed or even lazy, but that was before Yan had her first night’s rest in a proper bed. Sinking into the mattress’s embrace, with soft, satiny covers over top and a sweet quin pup to cuddle -

Oh, right. There would be no cuddling of quin pups, perhaps not ever again.

Hateful man. And to think, after all this time, he had the gall to send her an invitation to a banquet in honour of his new concubine. Hmph, see how she feels about sharing her marital bed with five quin pups and an overprotective Zabu...

A spray of cold droplets shocked Yan out of her revenge-fantasies, flicked in her direction by the unyielding Eun. “Well aren’t you a moody one this morning, all full of groans, grins, glowers, and glares. Where’s my sweet child and her pretty smile? I know she’s hiding somewhere inside this grouchy, slovenly mess of girl. Let’s see if we can’t find her with a touch of water, hmm?”

“Sorry Eun,” Yan muttered, sliding out of bed and dragged her feet over to the vanity table, slumping into the chair with a yawn. “Couldn’t fall asleep until late last night.”

“Because you miss those adorable pups and their sire and dam most like.” Running a cold, wet cloth gently over Yan’s face, Eun huffed and added, “You loved them so and I don’t see why you had to give them back. A gift is a gift, not a price for your hand in marriage.”

“It is the way of my people, Eun. I should’ve given them back the moment we arrived, but I wanted a little more time with them. They were a betrothal gift, which I cannot accept in good faith if I don’t intend to marry him.” Pursing her lips in a wry pout, Yan added, “Even if he didn’t mean it as a betrothal gift, being the dense, forest-shitting, bone-breaking, fuckwad he is.”

“Language dearie, language. Most unbecoming of a lady of the Du family.” Running a comb through Yan’s hair, Eun’s actions were rougher than usual, her surly mood made apparent. “Never you mind him then. His loss it is. Be it strength, skill, beauty, or bearing, there’s nothing lacking about my sweet girl, and that’s the Mother’s truth.”

Warmed by the matronly woman’s affection, Yan smiled at Eun through the polished mirror. She didn’t know where Grandpa found her, but she was a Mother-sent blessing in human form, pampering Yan to no end and teaching her the ways of womanly wiles. Hair, clothes, makeup, poise, Eun taught all this and more while refusing to let Yan do a thing for herself. ‘It wouldn’t be proper,’ she’d fuss, scandalized at the thought of Yan moving a chair or dressing herself. ‘You’re a Lady of the prestigious Du family now, not a common maid or labourer.’

In the end, it was easier just to let Eun have her way, and if truth be told, Yan loved being pampered. Not just by anyone though, Eun’s brusque demeanour and lecherous comments made her feel like family and Yan cherished every moment spent with her surrogate mother. Taking Eun’s hand, Yan held it to her cheek and sighed. “Thank you Eun. For everything.”

“It’s only the truth, sweet child, only the truth.” Stroking Yan’s cheek softly, Eun lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “The hard truth is girly, you’re better off without him. I seen it before, and let me tell you, Falling Rain is a man in love with death, he is. Charging into danger twice without a care in the world. You can see it in his eyes and his smile, both lighting up in the face of death and relishing the thrill. They call him the Undying, but I wager it’s not for a lack of trying.”

Eun’s warning brought to mind a distant memory, of Yan’s first time fighting beside Rain, in a hidden plateau containing a treasure trove of herbs and a massive garden snake. She’d hated him then and made no effort to hide it, yet when the beast lunged towards them, he shoved her out of harm’s way and shielded her with his body. If he had time enough to do that, he could have slipped aside and left Yan to be caught by the serpent’s maw instead. She remembered the overwhelming panic settling in, her mind screaming and legs trembling in abject terror as the creature reared up with Rain in its grasp. Then came the anger and shame, knowing her inaction might have cost Rain his life, followed by her disgraceful impotence throughout the rest of the battle. So useless, she could have stood to the side and hummed a little tune and the outcome would have been the same. Rain freed himself from the creature’s jaw and immediately charged back into the fray, a furious, vengeful god of battle as he carved the creature apart in a shower of blood and viscera.

And after all that pain and suffering, he not only shared the profits from selling the herbs with everyone, he even gifted Yan with the Spiritual Weapon crafted from the snake’s tail-blade. An idiot, but a sweet one, so forthright and benevolent. Not once did he bring up saving her life, nor would it be the last time he’d save her. She still remembered the feeling of his arm wrapped around her waist as they rode away from their attack on the Society camp, blood spilling from her belly after a disastrous exchange. So warm and comfortable, she remembered resting her head on his shoulder and nuzzling his cheek, wishing she weren’t so tired so she could tease him some more...

“Ah, my poor girl, that boy has his fangs in you deep.” Eun tsked and tutted while shaking her head, though she ruined it with a sly smirk. “A first love is hard to forget, especially if you’ve given him any other firsts. You devilish girl you, we’ve known each so long and you never shared this juicy story? Come, come, tell Eun all about it. Was he rough and savage, or sweet and gentle? Did he take you in a meadow beneath the night’s sky, or in a tiny tent in the middle of camp, with your comrades-in-arms within earshot?” Fanning herself with both hands, Eun’s eyes went wide with eager anticipation, utterly unbecoming of her usual mature and respectable appearance.

Cheeks burning beneath the older woman’s heated stare, Yan shook her head. “We never... you know. We shared a tent, but it was during wartime when we were always dirty and exhausted.” Not entirely true, but close enough. She couldn’t blame him for not embracing her when he only had one broken arm to work with.

“Tch. If a little dirt, sweat, and blood is enough to scare him off, then you’re truly better off without him. My beautiful girl goes so far as to slip into his tent and still he does nothing? If I were him, I’d curl up and die of shame. Spineless cur. Cowardly eunuch. Feeble, limp-...” Muttering a string of decidedly unladylike curses directed towards Rain, Eun didn’t stop even after Yan was fully dressed and out the door, only falling silent once they reached the dining room and Yan left her behind. As usual, Grandpa was nowhere to be seen, hiding somewhere so she would arrive first and not feel guilty for making him wait. She’d tried waking earlier but Grandpa would remain in hiding until exactly eight in the morning, pretending he didn’t rise with the morning sun just so she could sleep in a little longer in the morning.

Grandpa had a roundabout way of showing it, but he loved Yan dearly and she loved him the same.

Greeting him with a hug, Yan walked him to the cozy, round dinner table and sat down beside him, resting against his arm for warmth and support while the servants set the table and left. Glancing around the empty room with a frown, Grandpa asked, “Where did those squeaking little pests run off to now?”

Feigning nonchalance, Yan placed food into his bowl and smiled. “I returned them to the People’s camp last night. As I’ve said before, they were a loan and it’s high time I returned them. Eat up Grandpa. It’s your favourite today, roasted fish and quail eggs.”

“You said the male was a loan, but the female a gift. A gift from the boy, no less.”

Keeping up a cheerful front, Yan delivered her crafted reply. “Yes, but it’d break my heart to separate Shana from her pups. Besides, it’s better this way. Quins are pack animals, so now Shana and Zabu won’t always be on their guard and the pups will have others to play with and learn from. I don’t know the first thing about quin training, so it’s best to leave them with the experts.”

With a heavy sigh, Grandpa finally picked up his chopsticks and dug in, while Yan followed suit immediately after. They ate their breakfast in comfortable silence and Yan took care of everything from pouring his tea to refilling his rice bowl, this tranquil time the favourite part of Yan’s day. They rarely talked during breakfast, but his quiet smiles and approving nods spoke volumes. Neither one really knew what it was like to be part of a family, but they were slowly figuring it out.

Together.

Their hearty breakfast finished, Yan linked arms with Grandpa and followed him out into the training yard, where her second favourite part of the day took place. Comprehension of the Forms came so much easier once she began focusing on one Form at a time, but she still went them all at least thrice a week, out of respect for her roots. Grandpa didn’t mind, for he practised them alongside her, opening her mind to new avenues and directions for her to take. Grandpa favoured a lighter touch when it came to the Forms, his movements appearing soft and delicate as a feather upon the wind, yet each one hiding immeasurable strength within. His movements were sharp, unyielding, and always aimed for the path of least resistance, direct and unambiguous as his personality demanded.

Others saw how he’d stopped giving lessons and believed the rumours spread by his ungrateful family, how at a hundred and nine years old, he was too frail and feeble-minded to continue, but Yan knew better. Medical Saint Taduk had breathed new life into Du Min Gyu and the Sanguine Tempest stood ready to reclaim his place as a Peak Expert once again.

When they both finished, Yan’s forehead bore a sheen of sweat but Grandpa looked alert as always. Cupping her cheeks, he looked into her eyes and smiled sadly. “I’m sorry about the quins, dear heart. I know you loved them very much. I’ll speak to Akanai about purchasing them back.”

“No need Grandpa.” Yan answer was firm and resolute. “I meant it, they’ll be happier living with a pack. Besides,” she added, flashing a heartfelt smile, “It won’t matter soon enough. The world will know your greatness once more.”

“That it will.” Grinning back, he pulled her in for a hug and whispered, “I’ve been summoned to a private meeting with the Legate before this second day of nonsense begins. An old friend close to him tells me this will be a chance to prove myself, but he won’t or can’t say how. I was told to arrive without being seen, so I can’t bring you with me, but I’ll tell you all about it when I return.”

“Congratulations Grandpa.”

Releasing her from his embrace, Grandpa hesitated and said, “Once this is done, for better or for worse, there will no longer be any need to keep our distance from the People. Either my reputation will be restored or I’ll be abandoned by my final few allies and no longer constrained by public opinion.” Shaking his head with a laugh, he added, “Then again, with how much that runt had grown, we might have been better off allying with the People to begin with. I’m sorry child, it must have been difficult not going to see your friends. Grandpa has failed you.”

“It’s not your fault Grandpa.” Yan said no more as she walked him out the front gates and watched him leave with back straight and head held high. There was no sign of the tender limp or hunched back of yesteryear, his hair and beard dyed and meticulously groomed for his meeting with the Legate. She desperately wanted him to succeed here, to show everyone, including his shameless, freeloading family members. Just thinking about how Grandpa’s blood relatives treated him made Yan’s blood boil, especially since his siblings, two older brothers and three younger sisters, had all passed away. This left a horde of ungrateful children and grandchildren who treated him like a doddering old fool with one foot in the grave, acting as if everything he’d built up in his life already belonged to them.

Sentimental because of their familial bonds, Grandpa did nothing to stop them from seizing his fortune and properties, only stepping in when they tried to take his manor in Nan Ping and only because he knew they’d need a place to stay during the Grand Conference. This tiny vacation home and his main manor in Yantai were all he had left, and his finances were in such disarray he’d been forced to sell several of his valuable possessions to keep afloat. Yan cared nothing for Grandpa’s wealth, but it aggravated to see him hurt by betrayal after betrayal. He’d known some of his family would turn on him when he accepted and adopted Yan as his Terminal Disciple and Granddaughter, but the extent of the treachery went far deeper than he’d expected. Not a single family member stayed loyal apart from Du Kang Bin, the grandson of a second cousin who barely had any relation for Grandpa at all. Even Kang Bin’s father, a wealthy merchant who owed his success to Grandpa’s initial investment into his company, cheated Grandpa out of his shares and claimed sole ownership of the company. Kang Bin tried to make amends, but Grandpa didn’t care about the money. His family’s lack of love and loyalty hurt him far more than the loss of coin ever could.

Thankfully, it wasn’t just Kang Bin who remained loyal. All of Grandpa’s Disciples flocked to defend him, as did many of his students like Ryo Da’in, but Grandpa asked them to leave things be and kept quiet through it all. He saw this as a cleansing of sorts, divesting himself of all the undesirable parasites who’d clung to him for so long, right before reclaiming his former glory – no, before he soared even higher than before, like the dragon he truly was.

Even then, Yan would never forget those who’d wronged him, especially Cho Jin Kai’s family. Although Yan didn’t like the man, Grandpa saw Kai as a son and Jin-Tok as a grandson. After Kai’s passing, the family asked Grandpa to take Jin-Tok as a Disciple, but Grandpa refused. “Du Min Yan is my Terminal Disciple,” he told them. “I’ve few years left and no time or energy to teach another.” He offered to find Jin-Tok another teacher, but Kai’s family would not have it and after a long and furious week of arguings, they publicly severed all ties with Grandpa. Though they acted first, they manipulated public opinion to make it seem like they had no choice, that Grandpa was at fault for their falling out, because he cared nothing for his Disciple’s family.

Yan was so enraged she almost challenged that snivelling pile of shit Jin-Tok to a duel to the death, but Grandpa wouldn’t let her, telling her to leave it be. “Let the people talk,” he said, waving her concerns away. “Strength is all that matters.”

Which was true, making all of Grandpa’s woes Yan’s fault. If she’d been strong enough to defeat Ryo Geom-Chi or Tam Taewoong when she first arrived, no one would have dared questioned Grandpa’s mental health or judgment, but she’d been far from capable. A year ago, she couldn’t even beat Mitsue Hideo and both Geom-Chi and Taewoong ran circles around him. She threw everything she had into training with Grandpa, working herself to the bone by day and dreamt of creating her Hwarang Harem by night, biding her time until the Grand Conference to show the Empire that Du Min Gyu was still sound of mind and had made the right choice.

And she’d come so close to fulfilling her goal. Stupid Wu Gam and his stupid overpowering strength and idiotic handsome face. Hmph. He deserved what Rain did to him, the big, lumbering oaf.

...

Idiot Rain. He was probably still asleep in his new concubine’s arms, with that stupid, goofy smile pasted across his face. Truth be told, Yan wasn’t entirely opposed to marrying Rain. He was still her first love and probably the same, carelessly-arrogant blockhead beloved by the Mother. The problem was, Grandpa didn’t approve of Rain. He never said as much, but Yan saw the face he made every time Rain’s name was brought up. Grandpa didn’t think him worthy of his only granddaughter, even after the Legate crowned Rain the number one talent in the Empire. Last night, Grandpa assured her that she would surpass “that manner-less fool” by leaps and bounds once she formed her Natal Palace.

Grandpa’s dislike of Rain made it difficult to bring up the matter of marriage, so Yan long since resigned herself to comply with whatever marriage arrangement Grandpa had in mind. If her betrothal could help recoup even a fraction of what he’d lost, she’d gladly marry the fattest, ugliest, sweatiest young noble in the world.

So long as she didn’t marry Jin-Tok. That’s where she drew the line.

“Morning to you, Lady Yan.” Striding out her manor with parasol in hand, Ryo Da’in sauntered across the street with a dazzling smile. “Is Teacher Du in? Da’in wishes to offer congratulations for his foresight. Father was truly blind to criticize his judgment and hopes Teacher Du will not take it to heart.”

Yan had no idea what Da’in was talking about, but she assumed it was some political nonsense. Still, she treated Da’in with courtesy, for without the Ryo family’s backing, Yan might not have even been able to keep her place in the Hwarang, with countless challengers lining up to wear her down and steal her place. “I’m sorry, but Grandpa just left to meet a friend.” Yan still couldn’t get the hang of speaking in the third person. “I don’t know when he’ll be back, but you’re welcome to come in. Our balcony doesn’t offer the best view of the harbour, so we’ve taken to sitting on the roof, but it’s rather enjoyable.”

“Oh, but Da’in has been tasked with inviting Teacher Du and Lady Yan to the Ryo manor.” Taking Yan’s hand, she pouted in a charming and ladylike manner, filling Yan with envy at not being able to do the same. Leaning in for a conspiratorial whisper, she said, “Won’t you please come? Chi-Chi can’t stop talking about your bout with Wu Gam and how you were robbed of victory. I think he’s smitten.”

Mm, Geom-Chi was most certainly an upgrade from Jin-Tok, and Yan spent many a night dreaming of his warm embrace. As Da’in dragged her away, Yan replied, “Um... sure.” Seeing as it didn’t look like she had a choice. How was Da’in so strong? A slim, willowy woman, Yan wagered Da’in’s physical strength rivalled Mila’s, and that was saying something.

“Excellent.” Pulling Yan closer so they could walk arm in arm, Da’in asked, “So tell me about the Undying Falling Rain. You knew him, yes? Grew up together?”

Ah. No wonder the Ryo family extended them an invitation today, but not yesterday. They wanted to know more about the new number one talent of the Empire. “Knew him, didn’t grow up with him. Haven’t spoken with him in ages though.” Unable to resist, Yan casually asked, “I was too injured to attend, but how was the banquet?”

“Oh you haven’t heard?” Grinning devilishly, Da’in pulled Yan close and sighed. “It was magnificent, the rumours don’t do him justice. After his spectacular performance, it’s all I could do to keep from leaping on stage and demanding to join in on his wedding night. What. A. Warrior!”

As Da’in regaled her with the details of last night’s events, Yan’s smile grew wider and wider. Cutting himself open on stage sounded just like the Rain she knew and loved, a daft but lovable idiot lacking in all common sense.

And with his new status as Imperial Consort, perhaps Grandpa would finally approve of Rain.

Damn... Yan should have waited another day before returning Zabu, Shana, and their pups...

What a difference a single day makes.