Exactly my thoughts although the sexual abuse is not farfetched but they’re trying to get the gay out of his system so im guessing they experimented with him by making drink stuff and severely beating him up and this resulted to his poor mental state
Yes! But if he was sexualy abused it's definitely not by his father. Maybe that mysterious Lord Song is a noble trusted by the father to cure his son and that guy secretly abused SH behind closed doors without anyone else knowing.. except servant Kim.
his father could probably sold SH to the old beard nobles
That's why I like reading comments here! I was convinced by the sexual abuse and incest theory but then I read some other theories here after this new chapter and it makes so much more sense!!! What probably happened is that SH was just gay and Jihwa and him were caught fooling around so his dad beat him up (=> hence the bruises) and took him to the doctor to try to cure his "illness" which is just simply homosexuality. Since that day he forced him to take drugs and medication until SH turned crazy for real and became suicidal. He was probably constantly beaten up and they probably tried on him many therapeutic experimentation hoping it will cure him from his homosexuality (just like religious people are still doing nowdays). When the father realized there's no hope, he kicked out SH of their mansion out of shame and to protect the young brother from SH's influence as well. That's why Jihwa followed SH to this little town. They were childhood friends and a little bit more apparently. Poor Jihwa! He was just in love since their childhood. And Poor SH! The father was probably super proud of his son when he was young since he was bright and he was shocked when he realized SH likes men! He probably never wanted to hurt his child but the traditions of that time left him no other options. Especially for high class nobles, SH became a disgrace to his family and was sacrificed by his dad! I no longer think he sexually abused him. It does not make sense now.