Moon's Whisper, Heart's Echo

27.The Test

The brush slipped through Nandi's fingers for the third time as she tried to finish her accounts before heading to market. Ink splattered across the ledger, marking the page like raindrops.

Ji-soo caught the brush mid-fall. "That's the third time." Her eyes narrowed, studying Nandi's face. "Wait..." She leaned closer, adjusting Nandi's collar where the silk had rumpled suspiciously. "Someone's looking rather... disheveled this morning."

Nandi batted her hand away. "What are you doing?"

"Young-ah said she heard voices from your office quite late last night." Ji-soo smoothed the wrinkled collar. "Something about Master Park helping with Min-joon's studies?"

"He was." The paper fan nearly joined the brush on the floor as Nandi fumbled with her sleeve. "Min-joon wanted to show him his new brushwork and—"

"And that required him to stay until the moon was high?" Ji-soo caught the teetering fan, eyes dancing. "My, my... what dedicated tutoring."

"If you have nothing better to do than spread gossip—"

"Oh, but I do." Ji-soo circled around, clicking her tongue. "Like saving you from walking through the market with your inner jacket on backwards and... are those ink stains on your sleeve?"

Nandi traced the telltale marks with her fingers. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"And miss watching you nearly drop everything you touch?" Ji-soo straightened the jacket. "Though I'm sure the market aunties will find other details just as entertaining..."

"Don't you dare—"

"Like how Young-ah had to walk past your door three times before interrupting your... tutoring session?"

"I'm dismissing you. Immediately."

"No you're not." Ji-soo stated as they stepped out into the street. "Who else would keep you from ruining your silk? Or help hide how thoroughly rumpled your clothes are from whatever wasn't happening in your office last night?"

"Nothing happened!"

"No?" Ji-soo's voice dripped honey. "Then why do you keep fidgeting with your sleeves? And why is your collar—"

"I'm telling her majesty you're spreading rumors about my virtue."

"Please do. She'll be thrilled to hear Young Master Park finally—"

Their laughter cut short as they rounded the medicine shop's corner. Jae-hoon stood examining letters near the ginseng display, his stance too deliberate for coincidence.

"Lord Yi." Nandi bowed slightly, painfully aware of her disheveled state. The morning light caught the rich brown of her skin against the pale silk, making her feel even more exposed.

His eyes caught on her collar, something flickering in his expression. "Lady Nandi. You seem... rushed today."

"The market waits for no one," Ji-soo cut in smoothly, though her hand stayed protectively near Nandi's sleeve.

A basket of dried dates toppled as Jae-hoon shifted closer, making the medicine seller curse under his breath.

"My lord," the seller started, but Jae-hoon waved him away.

"Actually," he righted the basket without looking at it, "I've been hoping to speak with you."

"About?"

"About your... association with Master Park."

"I wasn't aware my associations required your approval."