After Lord Jang had rescued Mi Hyang, he brought her to his large estate, a place filled with grandeur but also shadows. The mansion stood tall against the night, its vast halls whispering secrets of a dark past. Servants moved quickly, their faces showing both curiosity and concern as they took care of the shaken girl.
Mi Hyang was led to a private bathhouse by Park Soon Deok, the head maid servant, a stern woman with eyes and ears that had seen and heard so much. The bathhouse was peaceful, with warm, fragrant steam rising from the water. But for Mi Hyang, the calmness of the room only made the turmoil inside her worse. Her hands trembled as she took off her clothes, still feeling the weight of the day's horrors.
Head Maid Servant Park helped Mi Hyang into a pool of warm water mixed with healing herbs. The fragrant steam rose around her, but it did little to soothe her troubled mind. With a desperate intensity, she began to scrub her skin. The dried blood of Lord Cha clung to her like a curse, and she attacked it with a kind of madness, her nails raking her flesh. She scrubbed and scrubbed, as if she could wash away the memory of his lifeless eyes and the pool of blood spreading on the floor. But no matter how hard she scrubbed, the stains on her soul refused to fade.
Outside the bathhouse, the Head Gisaeng Ma arrived at the Jang residence, her steps quick and filled with urgency. She was brought to Lord Jang's study, where she bowed deeply. "Thank you so much for saving Mi Hyang," she said, her voice filled with relief and respect. Her gratitude was clear, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears. Lord Jang, his face calm and understanding, nodded. He knew the tangled fate that had brought Mi Hyang into his care.
After her long, harrowing bath, Mi Hyang sat on the floor of her assigned room, her back pressed against the cold wall. She drew her knees to her chest, trying to stay in the present. But the past kept pulling her back into the nightmare. She could still see Lord Cha's face, twisted in shock and pain, and feel the warmth of his blood on her hands. Her mind was a battlefield, with the echoes of her actions haunting her.
As she sat there, lost in her thoughts, a sudden knock sounded, sharp and commanding. The noise broke through the air, pulling her from her dark memories. Her heart skipped a beat, and her breath caught in her throat. The door creaked open slowly, the dim light from the hallway casting long, eerie shadows into the room.
Mi Hyang braced herself, her eyes wide with fear. Every part of her was on edge, the suspense making time stretch unbearably. The figure that entered was cloaked in darkness, their face hidden by the shifting light. As they stepped forward, the light revealed the concerned face of the Head Gisaeng.
The Head Gisaeng entered the room, her presence bringing a sense of calm and reassurance. She crossed the space quickly and wrapped Mi Hyang in a warm embrace, her arms providing much-needed comfort. Mi Hyang clung to her, feeling the safety that had been missing from her life for so long.
The Head Gisaeng pulled back slightly, her eyes filled with compassion as she spoke softly. "Everything is going to be better," she said, her voice soothing Mi Hyang's troubled soul. "You are safe now, and you have a future ahead of you."
Mi Hyang nodded, her heart heavy yet lightened by the Gisaeng's comforting words. The Head Gisaeng continued, "Lord Jang wants to see you. He has something important to discuss." Taking Mi Hyang's hand gently, she led her through the dimly lit corridors of the mansion, each step echoing with the promise of change and new beginnings.
When they reached Lord Jang's study, the Head Gisaeng paused, turning to Mi Hyang with a serious yet encouraging expression. "Hae Mi Hyang is dead," she declared, her voice steady. "From this moment on, you are Jang Eun Sook, which means 'salvation.' Lord Jang has adopted you and given you a new name, a chance to start over and seek the justice you deserve."
Mi Hyang—now Jang Eun Sook—felt a surge of emotions. The name Hae Mi Hyang had been a reminder of her past suffering, but Jang Eun Sook was a symbol of hope and strength. It was a chance to start anew, to become someone who could fight back against the wrongs done to her.
The Head Gisaeng then presented her with a beautiful red sword, its blade shining with an almost magical glow, the hilt engraved with a rose emblem. "This is a gift," she said, her voice filled with respect. "It has been blessed and will protect you on your journey."
Jang Eun Sook took the sword, feeling its weight and balance in her hands. The cold steel was a symbol of her transformation and the blessing upon her quest. The rose emblem seemed to pulse with life, a reminder of the strength and beauty within her.
With the Head Gisaeng's support and Lord Jang's guidance, Jang Eun Sook felt a renewed sense of purpose. She was no longer a helpless girl trapped by fear and violence. She was Jang Eun Sook, a symbol of salvation and retribution. As she held the sword, she felt the strength of her new identity, ready for the challenges ahead.
The Head Gisaeng smiled warmly, placing a reassuring hand on Jang Eun Sook's shoulder. "You are strong, and you are not weak or alone," she said. "Together, we will face whatever comes. You have a family now, and we will support you in your quest for justice."
Jang Eun Sook nodded, her resolve firm. She was ready to embrace her destiny and seek the revenge she so desperately wanted. With the memory of Lord Cha's blood still fresh in her mind, she vowed to become a force to be reckoned with. The path would be dangerous, but with her new identity and the support of those around her, she was prepared to face it head-on.
As she stood in the grandeur of Lord Jang's study, the weight of her past began to lift, replaced by the promise of a future she could shape with her own hands. Jang Eun Sook, the girl who had once been Hae Mi Hyang, was ready to rise from the ashes of her former life and reclaim her power, her dignity, and her place in the world.