Having watched Mun-jong and Sang-jong for a while, Tak-hyeon threw a question at Mun-jong.

"What did you decide to do about Seon-myeong?"

At the mention of Seon-myeong, Mun-jong's face darkened sharply.

Hyeon-ju Bang, Mun-jong's wife and Tak-hyeon's eldest daughter-in-law, checked Suk-ja's mood and answered Tak-hyeon before Mun-jong could.

"Father. The Seon-myeong talk has quieted down now, so must he really go abroad..."

"Stay quiet."

Mun-jong scolded Hyeon-ju.

At that, Suk-ja took Hyeon-ju's side and spoke.

"The eldest didn't say anything wrong, so why are you like that? Must our eldest grandson really be sent abroad? It's something we can perfectly well teach and correct here in Korea too."

Mun-jong looked at Tak-hyeon with a restless, anxious face.

Because just when the Seon-myeong matter was finally dying down, he didn't want an awkward situation flaring up again for no reason.

"Mother, it's already all settled—now, at this point, treat him in Korea?"

"What's already settled?"

Suk-ja spoke in a firm tone, as if she couldn't back down.

"Why does our eldest grandson have to go abroad again? He's your son, and the pillar of our family. Why do you keep trying to drive the children out? Don't tell me it's because you're afraid Seon-myeong will grab you by the ankle?"

"That's not it..."

"If it's not that, then what? In my view, Seon-myeong went down the wrong path because he was abroad. If he'd been in Korea, he wouldn't have. Ugh, how hard it must have been, living alone abroad at such a young age..."

Her emotions rising, Suk-ja dabbed at the corners of her eyes with her sleeve.

"Whenever I think of Seon-myeong, my heart aches as if it's tearing apart."

Mun-jong, wearing a troubled expression, could do nothing either way and only watched Tak-hyeon's mood.

Tak-hyeon watched Suk-ja for a moment, then gave a snort and said, "Whatever you decide, let me know once it's decided."

At those words—as if he had no intention of discussing Seon-myeong any further—Mun-jong felt strongly that sending Seon-myeong abroad, out of Tak-hyeon's sight, was the best course.

But watching Suk-ja and Hyeon-ju object…