I really love your comment a lot and it cleared up a lot of questions I had about SH and his family! I’ve never left a comment before but I really wanted to talk about this.... usually we would assume that characters who have been used as a scapegoat/sacrifice would do whatever it takes to clear their name in some way, but from what we’ve seen of SH and how he deals w misunderstandings/rumors, it all makes sense now. Like when jihwa tried to scare SH saying that rumors about SH going for a low born like NK are on the streets, and SH saying that if people were already saying that, he might as well go all out (and actually have full on sex with NK)....also when NK told SH he hated him, and SH, taking his sword to go slash down Inhun, said if he was going to be hated might as well be hated all the way...... he must have solidified this kind of mentality when he was being used as a sacrifice.... god I’m getting goosebumps now that it all makes sense :’)))
It was mentioned in the beginning, in the first chapter.
http://www.mangago.zone/home/photo/5332405/
A few days ago, I wrote this following theory. From the start, Seungho was not a sodomite but due to the discovered conspiracy, the father decided to have his son to take the blame in order to escape the purgery and divert attention. He created the rumor that Seungho was a sodomite and put on a show.This would explain why the father dishonored his son in such a ostentative way: cutting off the topknot which is not just a humiliation but also symbolizes a castration. Why not a sodomite from the start? (sorry for the repetition)
We shouldn't forget that we heard the lord drinks a lot replenishing medicine, which is an aphrodisiac. Now, Baek Na-Kyum is drinking the same thing and notice his reaction: he was hard... The servant was helping his master this way. Notice how happy Seungho was when he noticed Na-Kyum's reaction. Seungho was just writing and Na-Kyum was already reacting. Secondly, we read from Jihwa that the latter always had to prepare Seungho (blowjob) in order to get aroused. Finally, right in the first chapter, Seungho confessed that only with Baek Na-Kyum's book, he could get aroused right away.
This would explain why Seungho resents his father and said to Seungwon that he was living by the father's principle... which is living as a sodomite because his father ruined his reputation and life. With this move, the father made it impossible for the son to become an official with a high position.
But now, I would like to add new aspects: actually, Seungho was not sent away because he was a sodomite. It was actually the opposite. The family left the domain and went to the countryside, leaving Seungho behind. And this new detail is quite important... it was as if the father wanted Seungho to become the head of the family Yoon and if the authorities decided to punish Yoon's family, then Seungho would have become the target. Since the father had left the property to his son, if the police had come to arrest Yoon, then the family could have said that Seungho was the one responsible as he was living in the courtyard, but the family had cut ties with him as he was a sodomite. In other words, not only the father humiliated his son but he also tried to turn him into a real scapegoat. The father thought that Seungho would be the one to take the fall. Furthermore, while the family left, it is said that all the servants were replaced which is a clue that all of them were killed. And I have the impression that Seungho was forced to get rid of them if he wanted to survive. With no witness, Seungho could survive the purgery, however he couldn't kill the loyal servant who had been by his side all this time.
As conclusion, since the family left the family domain, it means, the father not only pushed all responsibilities on his eldest son Seungho but wanted to sacrifice him. The latter was the one who had to dirty his hand in a way to survive. That's why he is suffering from insomnia and has often nightmares. This is much more terrible than what I wrote a few days ago. This explains why Seungho really hates his father and had his hand shaking, when the younger brother mentioned the father's illness. With Seungwon's visit, it becomes clear that the father has decided that it is time to return to the family domain hence if Seungho visits his father, this represents a reconciliation and marks the return of the Yoon. Since the brother smiled, while receiving the letter, it looks like it was a good sign for the father. At least, Seungho wrote a letter to the father... I can imagine that during all this time, Seungho ignored his family that's why he never replied to the brother's letter. I can imagine that the father is asking for a visit and will ask that Seungho helps his brother to become an official. I even suspect that since the father has been so cruel and selfish, that he wants from Seungho another sacrifice. Since Seungho has a bad reputation as a sodomite, he can not become an official, the father ruined his life. However, I have the impression that Seungho might have been close to the deceased grandfather who had a high position in the government. Jihwa mentioned like some others that the Yoon family was declining. The reason is that no one after the grandfather took up a government post, like Seungho mentioned it to In Hun in the chapter 6.
And here is another speculation from my side. Since the father never had a position, I was wondering if the grandfather considered his own son as not suited for a high government post and wanted his grandson to follow his footsteps. Due to this, the father could have been frustrated and decided to join the conspiracy, until it was discovered. In an attempt to save his family, the grandfather resigned his job and in that moment, the father used this opportunity to get rid of his own son: create the rumor, he was a sodomite, cut off his topknot and leave the domain to Seungho so that he would take the fall. However, we know that Seungho is quite smart and cunning.
But now time has passed on and the father wants his younger son Seungwon to become an official which would underline one more time the disdain and even hatred between the father and Seungho. However, I doubt that Seungho will accept all of this, especially after having been put through all of this. Besides, he will want to protect Baek Na-Kyum. Remember that Seungho decided to take his responsibilities towards the painter. He took Na-Kyum's virginity which the painter had reserved for the loved one and latter he put the red point on his forehead symbolizing that he was his bride.
Feel free to comment. It would be great if you did, as now I can not see if this analysis is popular or not. Thanks in advance.