The Last Imoogi

Treading Dangerous Waters

Lee Donghae finally heaved a sigh of relief when he realized Kwon Jiyong only went to the Hidden Seclusion, probably to inform elder Dong about the matter. He decided to return to the estate only to find Sandara gone. The doctor shook his head as an ache brewed in his head. He just arrived and now he had to leave again to find her. Somehow, Lee Donghae had an ominous feeling about this. It wouldn't take long until these two finally argue again.

Meanwhile, Sandara and Hong spent the entire day in Gyeonggi province upon receiving a report that Jo Sanggung had a relative there. They wrote notices and spread posters of Jo Sanggung all over the city but failed to see even Jo Sanggung's shadow.

"Mama, we can't stay here for too long. We need to be back at the estate before sunset." Hong told Sandara who was busy sending posters of Jo Sanggung to the passersby. Sandara stopped for a moment, acknowledging Hong's advice and decided to return home.

Somewhere in the woods where her porters and palanquin await her, Sandara felt a stinging pain on her back, just below her shoulder. She managed to ignore it, until she remembered a dream she had before. It felt too real back then, is it coming true now?

She touched the back of her right shoulder, rubbing it to ease the pain, but it was still there.

"Mama, are you alright?" Hong asked which made Sandara straighten up and force a nod. She was about to enter her palanquin when she heard a ringing sound in her ear, the same thing she heard every time she tried to read Kwon Jiyong's thoughts, and when Ryung tried to send her a message earlier. Soon, the ringing was replaced by a voice she's heard before.

"I know where the old lady is. If I prove myself right, would Her Highness finally grant me an audience?"

Soon there was a swooshing sound and Hong quickly positioned right in front of her when he saw an arrow coming their way. But much to their surprise, it only landed on the ground. Hong pulled the arrow and took a note.

"Mama, I think this is for you,"

Sandara read the note carefully. It contained Jo Sanggung's poster, as well as a certain location.

Sandara looked around only to see a man wearing a straw hat on top of the hill. A smirk formed on her lips as she rolled the paper into her sleeve before turning to Hong.

"Let's go back. It's already sunset. We don't want Daewongun finding out about this, do we?"

"Yes Mama!"

_______________________

Kwon Jiyong returned to the estate immediately after talking to Dong Youngbae about Hyuk and Lee Seungri. He was still preoccupied by emotions, which was so unlikely of him, but he admitted to himself he was wrong for being impulsive and leaving Sandara alone when Lee Seungri was inside his estate. When he arrived, he went directly to find her. The two maidservants just outside Sandara's chambers were startled though when they saw Kwon Jiyong. 

"What's the matter?" Kwon Jiyong asked coldly, giving the two young girls a fright. How could they possibly tell him their lady still was not home?

"N-n-othing, Your Highness!"

Kwon Jiyong directed his eyes to the door and immediately took a step up the stairs only to be blocked by the maidservants.

"Her Highness said not to let anyone in, Mama. Forgive us."

Preposterous! This is his estate! Which door can't he open? Which room can't he enter? Kwon Jiyong glared at the two making them shiver in an instant. Sensing something was off, Kwon Jiyong immediately barged in only to find the room empty.