Chapter 369
The Youngest Son of Eunhaesang Trading Company Chapter 369
Chapter 369. Yeongneungdang (1)
“That is the Beijing branch of Eunhaesang Trading Company.”
Seo Woo's voice could be heard from beside the carriage.
We left Shandong and arrived back in Beijing.
Of course, we could have gone straight to the main branch of the Eunhae Trading Company in Hubei, but we had to finish some business in Beijing.
And my parents needed to rest a little.
No matter how comfortable it is to travel by carriage, traveling itself is hard work.
“It's quite large.”
“Wow...”
“It's huge!”
Following Captain Yong Eung-wan's admiration, the others also expressed their admiration.
Captain Yong brought with him nearly fifty people.
It seemed like a lot, but considering the roles each person had to play in operating a large ship, it wasn't that many.
This was because operating a large ship required that many people.
And we weren't just operating one ship.
Among the people Captain Yong brought with him this time, there was a sailor who had persuaded Captain Yong.
His name was Songjuk.
When I saw him, I was secretly surprised.
That was because he was a navigator who had been Captain Yong's right-hand man in my previous life.
His specialty was reading the stars.
He had the ability to read the stars to determine direction and predict the weather.
In any case, the maritime trade of our Eunhae Trading Company was going smoothly from the start.
“Please come in.”
When we arrived at the Beijing branch, the branch manager welcomed us.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
In response to our words, he bowed his head with clasped hands.
“You're too kind. Please come inside.”
We entered the Beijing branch and asked him to arrange accommodations for Captain Yong and his party.
“Captain.”
At that moment, a woman approached me.
It was Miss Jaryeong, not Miss Seohyang.
“Did you have a good trip?”
“Yes.”
“I'm glad you don't look too tired.”
I nodded in response to her question.
A trip like this wasn't that tiring.
But I shouldn't have nodded just now.
It was a mistake.
“Well then…”
I realized my mistake, but it was already too late.
“Please go now and review the documents and approve them.”
Behind Seo Hyang, the deputy governor of Hyungpung Province clenched his fist and cheered with his expression.
I asked desperately, with my last hope.
“Do I have to go now?”
“Of course, it pains me that you have to work so soon after traveling such a long way, but I think there are circumstances beyond your control.”
“You mean circumstances beyond your control right now, don't you?”
“Yes.”
He was adamant.
“I think you should go, young master.”
I looked at Pal-gap with a hurt expression, but...
“What can you do? You are responsible, aren't you?”
I had no words.
.
.
.
After reviewing and approving the backlog of documents, the sun had set.
“Now all that's left is...”
The letters that had arrived in the meantime.
I looked through the letters and...
“Huh?”
There was one letter that I had to read right away.
It was a letter from the Pojeongsa of Guizhou Province.
I quickly opened the sealed letter.
[I am going to Beijing to submit a regular report to the Imperial Palace. I am scheduled to arrive in early December.
Early December? Today is the first day of December.
That means the Minister of Justice of Guizhou Province will be arriving soon. Then...
I looked up at Miss Seo Hyang.
“What is it?”
“It's a letter for the Minister of Justice of Guizhou Province.”
“...!”
Miss Seo Hyang's eyes widened.
“It seems he will be visiting soon.”
Her eyes brightened at my words.
“Then it will snow soon.”
She must have seen the future related to this.
.
.
.
After dinner, I headed to my father's office.
This is because the Beijing branch also has an office for the captain of the Trading Company.
“Father. It's Seo Ho.”
“Come in.”
I entered my father's office and greeted him.
“Yes, what is it?”
“It seems that the Pojeongsa of Guizhou Province will be visiting soon.”
“The Pojeongsa of Guizhou Province...?”
My father asked.
“Does Miss Seo Hyang know about this?”
“Yes, I told her.”
“I see.”
After thinking for a moment, my father said.
“There is a place nearby where others cannot eavesdrop. Take the Po-jeongsa with you and go for a walk nearby. It would be good if you took your aide with you.”
My father's words were full of consideration for the two of them.
.
.
.
A few days later, a letter arrived.
It said that the Po-Jeong-Sa of Guizhou had arrived in Beijing.
I handed him the reply I had written in advance and said,
“I hope you will not refuse my request.”
“Yes, I will convey that.”
The reply to my letter arrived that evening.
After reading it, I called Young Mistress Seo.
“Gwak, my aide.”
“Yes, Captain.”
“I am going to meet with the magistrate of Gijou City tomorrow. Please accompany me.”
“Yes, sir.”
Her voice was filled with excitement.
The next morning.
We took a carriage and headed for a nearby mountain.
To be precise, it was the edge of a mountain, but there was a narrow path leading to it, and the scenery was beautiful, making it a good place for a walk.
It was also a place recommended by my father.
As we approached, we saw soldiers guarding the area.
The Gui Zhou City Police Chief was not only a high-ranking official, but also a member of the imperial family.
Even considering that, it seemed a little excessive...
As I was thinking that, I looked at Miss Seo Hyang next to me and nodded.
She didn't want anyone to interfere with her meeting with her father.
We got out of the carriage and walked toward the entrance.
“Welcome.”
“Nice to see you again. How have you been?”
Yeon-gyeok Baekho, who was in charge of escorting the Pojeongsa of Gyeongju, greeted us.
“Yes. Who is the lady next to you?”
Seo Hyang was wearing a veil, so Yeon-gyeok Baekho did not recognize her.
“She is my aide. I have received permission to meet you through a letter.”
Upon hearing that we had permission, he let Seo Hyang-soo enter.
She followed me without saying a word.
I glanced behind me as I walked.
I hoped she hadn't noticed.
As we continued walking, we saw a pavilion with a middle-aged man standing on it.
It was the Gui Ju Seong Po Jeongsa.
We headed there, and I bowed politely.
“I am Eunseo Ho, a member of the Gyeongju City Council.”
“Yes. Nice to meet you.”
I looked to the side and nodded, and she slightly raised her head.
When the council member saw her face, his eyes reddened.
Although they did not speak, the affection between mother and daughter was evident.
Oh, my eyes are getting red too.
“Ah... Ahem, please sit down.”
“Thank you.”
We sat facing each other at a table set up on the pavilion.
The Po-jeongsa picked up the teapot that had been warming on the brazier and poured tea for us himself.
He didn't call for a maid, just in case.
“So, are you doing well?”
“Yes.”
“By the way... what do you mean, assistant officer?”
His eyes narrowed slightly. He must have heard the conversation in front of him.
Oh no! I have to say this carefully.
“Well...
I asked for it first.”
Seo Hyang, who was standing next to me, explained instead.
“I thought it would be better to do so in order to avoid suspicion from those around us.”
“I see. That makes sense.”
Po Jeong-sa nodded in agreement.
Thank goodness.
I bowed my head slightly to Seo Hyang to show my gratitude.
“By the way... You seem much healthier than before, which is reassuring.”
“Is everything okay at home?”
“Yes, everything is fine.”
“I'm glad to hear that.”
As we drank tea and talked about this and that, Po-jeong-sa said, “This area is nice for walking.”
“I've heard that. Have you been here before?”
“Yes, I've been here before.”
He looked outside and said.
“When I used to come to Beijing, I often walked here with my Hyung-nim.”
“It must be a place full of happy memories.”
“That too, but it's also a place that's difficult to access.”
I see why my father recommended it.
“Would you like to take a walk?”
“Yes.”
We got up and started walking along the path.
As we walked quietly along the path, I noticed something strange.
Huh?
I felt a strange energy within me...
Tap.
Something cold touched the bridge of my nose.
“Oh, it's snowing.”
“Yes, it's snowing.”
Snow was falling from the sky.
It was the first snow of the year.
“Miss Seo Hyang, it's snowing.”
“This... is snow falling from the sky?”
“Yes, it is.”
The snowflakes that had been falling one by one soon began to fall heavily.
In an instant, the surroundings were covered in white.
It was a beautiful sight.
Miss Seo enjoyed the snow falling from the sky with her whole body.
“Now... that child's wish has finally come true.”
“Come to think of it, her real wish was to watch the snow fall from the sky.”
“That's right.”
He took out a handkerchief and wiped his tears.
“Of course, she lost her name, but it's all thanks to you that she regained her health and fulfilled her wish.”
He felt a little embarrassed.
“She'll be able to regain her lost name soon.”
“But by then, she'll be past the age of marriage.”
“...”
“That's why... I have a request for you.”
“What?”
Suddenly, I felt uneasy...
“Marry my daughter.”
Why are my uneasy premonitions always right?
“You're joking, sir.”
“I'm not joking.”
His expression was firm.
But I had no choice but to try to persuade him as best I could.
“But there are many other high-ranking officials' daughters. Shouldn't you find someone more suitable for her?”
“With her status, the best she can hope for is to become someone's concubine.”
“....”
That was the reality.
Her status was not that of the daughter of a royal official, but merely that of my aide.
“I cannot accept that. My daughter as someone's concubine!”
“I trust you are not trying to push this onto me for the sake of a legitimate wife.”
“Of course not.”
He nodded.
"The position of legitimate wife is also important. But more important than that is the character of a man. I see that you are more admirable than any other man."
He's complimenting me...
This is awkward.
I am not in a position to get married right now.
I have a goal to avenge myself against the Martial Alliance and the Trading Company.
I cannot put my wife on a path of hardship for the sake of my goal.
At that moment, Miss Seo Hyang, who had been watching the snow fall in the distance, turned to look at me.
Then she smiled in a way that was hard to read.
It was as if she had seen my awkward expression before.
In this situation, I couldn't just refuse her outright.
I sighed and postponed my decision.
“I'll think about it.”
“I'll wait for your answer.”
* *
Dong-Hui returned to his residence in Guizhou.
He had a mansion in Beijing where he could stay.
“Huh...”
He breathed a sigh of relief.
His daughter was doing better than he had expected. That made him feel quite relieved.
Eun Seo-ho was protecting her well, just as he had asked.
Although he was a little unhappy about being used as an aide, his daughter's reason was valid.
In any case, he was sincere when he asked Eun Seo-ho to marry his daughter.
In his opinion, the safest place for his daughter was by Eun Seo-ho's side.
Therefore, the best way for her to stay by his side was to marry him.
People would gossip about a member of the royal family marrying a merchant, but that was a matter for later.
Right now, her daughter was just a woman from a humble family and Eun Seo-ho's aide.
Besides, if his daughter could live safely and happily, what did other people's opinions matter?
Suddenly, he remembered his daughter looking down at him with a happy expression earlier.
“Could she have seen this coming?”
There was no way to know.
“Your Highness, it is Yeon-gyeok.”
Hearing this, Dong-hwi adjusted his posture and said, “Come in.”
The door opened, and Yeon-gyeok, who was in charge of escorting him, entered.
“I would like to postpone the departure date by a few days.”
“You called?”
“Yes. I would like to postpone the departure date by a few days.”
“Understood. When do you plan to depart?”
“Let's delay it by a day or two.”
“Yes, sir. I will pass on your message.”
.
.
.
Yeon-gyeok left the Po-jeongsa's room with a smile on his face.
His guess had been correct.
Po Jeong-sa had finished his business here, so there was no reason for him to stay any longer.
Yet he was taking two days to do so.
Earlier, when Eun Seo-ho and his aide headed toward Po Jeong-sa's room, he saw a woman named Gwak walking behind them, and he couldn't believe his eyes.
Her back view was unmistakeably that of Dong-ja-ryeong.
“I don't know what the situation is, but she didn't die. I'm so glad! Really...”
* * *
When I returned to the Beijing branch, I immediately went to see my father.
“So, did you see Po-jeong-sa?”
“Yes.”
“I wonder what you talked about.”
Hearing that, I picked up my teacup and took a sip.
My throat was dry.
“We just talked about this and that. And... he wants me to marry Miss Seo Hyang.”
“Puh!”