Chapter 232
The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company Chapter 232
Chapter 232. Jin-ho's In-laws (2)
I blinked my eyes.
They came to pick me up?
Seeing my reaction, Palace Head Binghae smiled gently and replied.
“Oh? Did you forget? I think I mentioned it before. I said I would formally pick you up later.”
“Ah... Of course, I didn't forget.”
I just didn't expect it to be today.
First... let's eat and think about it.
“Are you ready to eat?”
“I ordered noodles.”
“If it's not too much trouble, would you like to join us?”
I looked at Jin-ho and asked.
“Is that okay?”
“Of course. Please come this way.”
When I asked the kitchen, they said that they were busy and hadn't started cooking the noodles yet.
So we canceled the noodle order and sat down at a table.
Soon, the lotus root and rib soup and other dishes we ordered came out, steaming hot.
“Please, help yourself.”
“Thank you, I'll enjoy it.”
I scooped some lotus root galbitang into my bowl and began to eat.
It's been a while since I've had this, it's delicious.
It tasted even better because Jin-ho bought it for me.
As I ate, I glanced at Palace Head Byeong-hae-rin. There was already a pile of galbitang bones in front of her.
It's nice to eat well.
At that moment, our eyes met, and she tilted her head.
“Is there something on my face?”
“No. You're eating so well. I was worried that you wouldn't like the food in this area.”
She smiled and replied to my words.
“I'm not a picky eater.”
“I see. I'm glad you like it.”
After finishing our meal, we headed to the Eunhae Trading Company together.
After all, I couldn't have a conversation with her in public.
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I led Binghaerin to the reception room of the Eunhae Trading Company.
“The view of the garden from here is beautiful.”
“That's why we bring our distinguished guests here.”
“Thank you for treating me so well.”
Bing Haerin, the Palace Head, and I drank tea and made small talk.
“Are everyone at the Yangyang Martial Arts Academy doing well?”
“Yes, everyone is doing well.”
“I already miss the children.”
“The children also miss you, Master. Especially a girl named Mi-yeon. She wants to marry you.”
“Ahem!”
I almost spit out my tea when I heard that.
“I see.”
Palace Head Bing Hae-rin put down his teacup and said, "The snowstorms have almost stopped with the passing of winter.
“With winter coming to an end, the snowstorms have almost stopped. If you leave now, by the time you reach the North Sea, there will still be some snowstorms, but they will be regular, so it will be safe. Therefore, the Palace Head has ordered me to bring you back.”
“....
”We will be able to repay your kindness.“
”I see."
“Actually, the Palace Head said he would send disciples from the Ice Palace to escort you, but I refused.”
She smiled faintly and continued.
“I'm here.”
Her eyes showed strong confidence.
“And I don't think Master would like that either.”
“You know me well.”
I thought for a moment and then spoke.
“Actually, I was on my way to the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“What? Do you have business at my palace?”
“Yes, my second sister's mother is from the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
When I explained the situation, she nodded.
“I see. You did well to leave as soon as you received the letter from the Palace Head. I think I'll go with you.”
That made me feel much better.
As the young princess of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, she was familiar with the area, and with her skills, our safety would be assured.
“Before that, I need to ask for your understanding. I have some things to take care of on my way to the North Sea. Is that okay?”
“It's fine with me.”
At that moment, we heard Pal-gap's voice from outside.
“Young master, the captain of the Trading Company is here.”
Hearing that, I quickly got up and said,
“Let me introduce you to my father.”
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Preparations for the Northern Sea Ice Palace were proceeding smoothly.
Thanks to my experience in the North Sea, the preparations were not difficult.
I was particularly concerned about leather bags for storing drinking water, dry provisions, and clothes made from animal skins.
It would have been nice to have some heat-generating tools, but such tools are not easy to come by.
The only reason I was able to obtain them was because of my memories from my previous life.
It was also because I was blessed with good fortune.
Among them, my bag, the Chapter of the Five Elements, and the silk made from silkworms were gifts from the emperor.
Those items... have great value.
Since we are stopping by Beijing this time, I should go see him. Otherwise, he might be upset.
And I have something to report.
Before we knew it, the day of our departure had arrived.
Jin-ho was the leader of the Eunpungdae Six, so I selected some of the Six to escort him.
Some people insisted that we should take the entire Six with us, but I stopped them.
Our group was already strong enough, and taking an entire unit for a long period of time would be a burden on the Trading Company.
So, we decided to take only five people to escort Jin-ho and his wife.
Therefore, those heading to the Northern Sea Ice Palace were myself, Pal-gap, and four other guards.
Jin-ho and his wife, and five guards.
Finally, there was the Palace Head, Bing Hae-rin.
Just before we left, my father handed me a letter.
“Give this to your Master.”
“Yes.”
“Be careful on your trip.”
With our families seeing us off, we set off on our journey.
We all rode horses without carriages.
This was because we were all skilled in martial arts.
We were traveling fast on horseback, and once we entered the grasslands beyond Beijing, the carriages would become nothing but a load of luggage.
As I rode, I thought about the things I had to do.
Hmm, the first thing I have to do is deliver a letter to the branch in Henan.
Then I had to stop by my aunt's house in Beijing and visit the imperial palace...
I must not forget to thank Captain Kwang-joon for the horses he sent us before.
The horses we are riding now are the fine horses he sent us then.
Ah, I will see Captain Bok-yoon for the first time in a long time.
We had planned to meet at the Baekdae Trading Company meeting, but we ended up meeting earlier than expected.
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We headed for Beijing while taking care of various matters.
The work was completed faster than expected, and we were able to arrive in about half a month.
“We will be staying at my aunt's house here in Beijing.”
Bing Hae-rin, the young palace head, nodded at my explanation.
“I see. May I also stay with you?”
“Of course. We are traveling together, aren't we?”
When we arrived at the Yeonjun Trading Company, my aunt welcomed us warmly.
“Come in. It's nice to see you so often these days.”
Hyung-nim Jin-ho stepped forward first to greet her.
“How have you been? Thank you again for attending our wedding.”
“Of course I had to come.”
My aunt exchanged greetings with me and then came closer and whispered.
“Who is the young lady with you?”
My aunt's eyes lit up, and I quickly waved my hand.
“It's not what you think.”
“Oh, really?”
Her disappointment was evident, and I felt sorry for her.
“She's a young lady I met recently. She's accompanying me due to circumstances.”
“I see. Nice to meet you.”
“I'm sorry for the trouble.”
“Don't worry about it. Please make yourself comfortable. I know it's rude to ask this on a first meeting, but are you single?”
“I am.”
“Oh! I see.”
My aunt did not seem to be giving up easily.
I'm sorry, but I have no intention of getting married yet.
Yes, you cannot marry until you have avenged Baekcheon Trading Company and the Martial Alliance.
My aunt arranged for Binghaerin, the Palace Head, to stay in the annex where I was staying.
“How can I let Miss stay alone in the annex? I will give you the annex, so you can stay there with me.”
She said.
My aunt's words made sense, so I readily agreed.
I sensed something behind her words, but it would be better for Young Mistress Bing Hae-rin to be with me than with someone else.
Besides, the annex had more than one room and was quite spacious.
I took a warm bath for the first time in a long time.
The annex had a well-landscaped garden.
As I was leisurely strolling around, the familiar scent of orchids wafted through the breeze.
Looking in that direction, I saw Princess Binghaerin, who had changed into comfortable clothes.
“I see you came out to get some fresh air.”
“Yes.”
She nodded.
“By the way, I wonder if it's okay that the trip was so comfortable.”
That was because, except for when they had no choice but to sleep outdoors, they stayed at the finest inns.
And we paid for her inn expenses as well.
“When we return to the Ice Palace, I will settle the inn bill.”
“There is no need. Our Eunhae Trading Company is generous. So don't worry about it.”
It was true that our trading company was generous. And her inn bill wasn't that much of a burden.
But she looked a little uncomfortable, as if she felt burdened.
“We are taking our benefactor home, but it feels like the roles are reversed.”
“So what if it is?”
I continued.
“You really don't have to worry about it. So please don't say you will pay for the inn.”
“But...”
“Palace Head, it would be rude of us to accept any more.”
At that, she said no more.
However, I couldn't help feeling a little embarrassed.
The Northern Sea Ice Palace is a wealthy place.
She probably thought I would pay for the inn later, but since I refused, she didn't know what to do.
I had a reason for saying that to her.
I wonder if Jin-ho knows how hard his younger brother is working for him.
“All right. I will accept your kindness.”
“Yes.”
“I think I need to go out for a bit tomorrow.”
“Please go ahead. I also have something to do outside tomorrow.”
I also have to go to the imperial palace tomorrow.
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The next morning.
Because the Palace Head Binghaerin was there, we had breakfast separately in the annex.
Then we greeted my aunt and uncle.
By the way, is Seonmi doing well?
It had already been five months since she went to the academy head's house.
When I asked my aunt, she replied with a bright smile.
“Seonmi is doing very well. She writes at least once every five days.”
“I'm glad to hear that she's doing well.”
Still, she must need her cousin Orabeoni's support.
What would be good?
At that moment, Palgak rushed over to me.
“Young master! Young master!”
Ah, he's from the Imperial Palace.
“He's from the Imperial Palace.”
As we headed toward the reception room, I saw a familiar face that I had seen so many times before.
It was Master Jin of the Royal Guards.
“It is an honor to meet you, Master.”
“Nice to see you. By the way, you said you were leaving, but I didn't think you would leave so soon. I'm a little sad.”
This refers to his previous work upstream of the Yangtze River.
“I'm sorry.”
“Haha. I'm just kidding. I already gave you permission, didn't I?”
Master Jin smiled.
“Thanks to you, it seems that I have regained the emperor's trust.”
“That's good.”
I continued.
“And thanks to your consideration, I will also receive a reward from the emperor. I am very grateful.”
“That is what you deserve. Anyway, get ready. The emperor is calling for you.”
Soon, I got ready and followed Master Jin-yeong.
On the way to the imperial palace, Master Jin-yeong whispered to me.
“Because of what happened earlier, the court officials are paying a lot of attention to you.”
“What?”
Hearing that, I couldn't help but sigh.
This is why I tried not to draw attention to myself.
Ah, what can I do? What's done is done.
I'm trying to be careful, but because of the emperor, it's not easy.
A moment later
I was granted an audience with the emperor.
“Your Majesty, Eunseoho is here to see you. Long live the emperor!”
As I bowed deeply in respect, the emperor said.
“You may rise.”
“I am deeply honored.”
“Yes.”
The emperor said with a satisfied look.
“I have reviewed your proposal for improving the style guide. You may proceed as planned.”
“Thank you for your permission.”
Formally, the writing style belonged to the emperor, so I had to get his approval.
Of course, I expected him to approve.
“So, do you like the rewards I sent you?”
Didn't you just say they weren't rewards?
That means they include not only rice but also the silk I sent through the old man at the general store.
“Your Majesty's grace is as vast as the sea.”
“There is no need to say that. I gave it to you because I am truly grateful. Thanks to you, I was able to get rid of those who were eagerly trying to climb up to me.”
What happened? I need to find out.
“By the way, is there anything else you need?”
I was about to say no, but something suddenly came to mind.
“Then, Your Majesty, I have one request.”