Chapter 19
Ahn Jung-ho and Ahn Chang-geun looked puzzled, not knowing why Hari was laughing—but seeing her smile, they smiled along with her.
Even without much conversation, the room felt warm and cheerful.
It was completely different from her previous life, where every mealtime had been filled with lectures about money or studies.
Perhaps because of that, the food tasted much better.
Normally, Hari would barely finish half a bowl, but today she easily finished an entire bowl of rice.
As she set down her spoon, Chang-geun quickly handed her a bowl of scorched rice tea.
“You’ll feel better if you drink this.”
Though she was already full, Hari drank it out of consideration.
After a while, a servant came in, cleared the table, and brought tea.
Jung-ho and Chang-geun chatted quietly.
As officials serving the state, their conversation naturally drifted toward national affairs and court matters.
Chang-geun worked at the Office of Royal Decrees, recording official history, so he knew many details about the court.
The King—once taken hostage by Qing—was said to be interested in Western culture and was trying to maintain friendly relations with Qing.
‘Feels a bit like Crown Prince Sohyeon.’
Of course, this wasn’t the real Joseon—so there were more differences than similarities.
That made it fun to compare.
Especially interesting was how the figure modeled after King Injo had died early.
‘Much more satisfying that way.’
Hari listened while sipping plum tea said to aid digestion.
“A while ago, His Majesty asked about you.”
Hari’s hand froze mid-air as she reached for a yakgwa.
She stared at Chang-geun.
It wasn’t strange that the King knew her—he must have heard about Nahee’s case.
But asking about her personally?
That was different.
Anyone could see it meant interest.
And recently, she had rejected a marriage proposal involving the King’s younger brother, Prince Hwain.
It hadn’t been formal—just something mentioned during a conversation between Jung-ho and the King—but a rejection was still a rejection.
‘And yet he’s curious about me? Is he offended?’
Hari’s eyes wavered.
The attention of someone with absolute power felt like a burden.
Jung-ho’s expression darkened as well.
Chang-geun, noticing her frozen hand, gently placed the yakgwa into it and tapped her knee reassuringly.
“What did he ask?”
Jung-ho waited until Hari had taken a bite before speaking.
His eyes moved busily between his children—watching her eat properly while continuing the conversation.
“What led her to become a litigator—things like that.”
“And what did you say?”
“I said I didn’t know.”
Chang-geun looked embarrassed, realizing only then that he knew nothing about his sister’s dangerous work.
“Hari, your brother has been inattentive. I’m sorry.”
“Please don’t say that. And brother, it’s not dangerous at all. I’m working very safely, so don’t worry.”
Hari quickly reassured him, but his expression didn’t brighten.
“Was that all?”
“No. He also praised you for resolving the case of the Choi family’s second daughter-in-law.”
Chang-geun smiled proudly.
Hari scratched her cheek awkwardly.
Joseon was a Confucian society, where the King upheld Neo-Confucian values.
Yet he praised a female litigator who had annulled a marriage?
‘He must be open-minded. If so, maybe he could also make laws about divorce…’
As Hari drifted into wishful thinking—
Jung-ho’s face grew serious.
“Yes… it was no ordinary case.”
She had uncovered a murder—one that had happened four years ago.
Even the Minister of Justice had taken interest.
“If she had been born a man, we would have brought her into the Ministry of Justice. But since she is a woman—and the daughter of the Chief Inspector—we cannot even use her as a female investigator.”
Hearing that had made Jung-ho’s heart drop.
People admired talent—especially rare talent.
And admiration often turned into greed, which led to trouble.
He worried Hari might become a target.
‘I must protect her more carefully.’
No matter how cautious she was, her abilities would stand out.
It was better for him to watch over her closely.
“And… His Majesty asked something unusual.”
Chang-geun added.
Hari perked up.
“What did he ask?”
“He asked if you had no intention of marriage. And whether you have someone you love.”
Chang-geun looked at her carefully.
He had always wondered why she avoided marriage.
If she had someone she couldn’t tell their father about, he was even willing to help—after making sure the man was decent.
“I don’t have anyone.”
Hari answered firmly.
Chang-geun smiled slightly, relieved.
To him, she was still young.
He wanted her to remain under their care a little longer.
And honestly, he doubted any man would be good enough.
‘Our Hari is too precious.’
“In any case, His Majesty has clearly taken a special interest in you.”
Hari decided not to judge whether that was good or bad—for now.
‘I’ll probably never meet him anyway.’
To her, the King was far out of reach.
In front of Hari’s office, a middle-aged woman wearing a headscarf stood fidgeting.
Her shoulders hunched like a criminal, she walked away—then came back—again and again.
Whenever someone appeared on the street, she startled and turned away.
When they passed, she hurried back to the gate, staring at the “Open” sign.
Her sighs and trembling hands revealed her turmoil.
‘Was it right to come here? What if my husband finds out?’
The outcome would not be good.
Fear gripped her, her palms damp with sweat.
‘I’ll come back… next time.’
Unable to overcome her fear, she turned to leave.
“Did you come to see me?”
A clear voice stopped her.
Startled, she turned.
A gentle, beautiful woman stood there.
Seeing her reminded the woman of her daughter.
Her daughter, small for her age, had been married off at only ten.
She remembered how the large ceremonial headpiece had kept slipping.
The thought made her stomach churn—and her maternal instinct overcame her fear.
Her eyes changed.
“Are you a litigator?”
“Yes. I am Ahn Hari.”
That was the name she had been looking for.
The litigator who said: do not cry, do not endure, do not give up.
The woman dropped to her knees.
“Please… save us!”
The woman’s name was Lee Chunja.
‘She sold taffy… with her small daughter beside her.’
Hari remembered seeing them at the market.
They hadn’t seemed wealthy, but their bond had been beautiful.
They always stayed close—yet today, the daughter was nowhere to be seen.
Hari glanced at the empty space where the child should have been.
Then she comforted the woman and brought her inside.
Between sobs, Chunja explained everything in detail before leaving.
‘What a mess.’
Hari organized the information and examined it carefully.
“Did that lady leave?”
Nahee burst in, throwing the door open.
Hari’s concentration broke instantly.
“Do you not know how to knock?”
“Knock? You didn’t hear my footsteps? I’m famous for being loud.”
Hari sighed and let it go.
But just as she looked back at her notes—
Nahee suddenly snatched them away.
